Hearing the Voice of God: Dreams and Visions-Part 4

In this series, we have been looking at different ways in which God speaks to His children. Now we turn to dreams and visions.

Everyone dreams, but many believers ask, “Does God actually speak to me through my dreams—and, if so, how would I recognize a dream that comes from Him?”

A Lesson from Moses, Aaron, and Miriam

In the book of Numbers, we find a revealing moment in the lives of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Though they had led Israel together out of Egypt, Aaron and Miriam later criticized Moses and questioned his leadership: “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t He also spoken through us?” (Numbers 12:2 NIV)

In response, the Lord Himself explains how He communicates with His people: 

“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.” (Numbers 12:6 NIV) He then distinguishes Moses' unique role, saying He speaks to him “clearly and not in riddles.” (Numbers 12:8 NIV)

From this passage, two truths emerge. God does speak through dreams and visions, but these forms are often symbolic and indirect rather than immediately clear.

From Prophets to People: The Work of the Spirit

Numbers 12 describes how God spoke to prophets under the Old Covenant. Later revelation shows this would not remain limited to them. Isaiah reminds us that God knows "the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10 NIV), and through Joel He declares:

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28–29 NIV)

This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost. Peter declared that what was happening in the Upper Room was the fulfillment of Joel’s words. (Acts 2:16–18 NIV) What was once associated with prophets alone was now extended to the people of God through the Holy Spirit.

Understanding Dreams: Their Nature and Language

Dreams are sequences of images and thoughts that appear in our minds while we are sleeping. They are involuntary—coming from deep within us. They are often disjointed or illogical, yet they can carry strong emotional weight. Because dreams come to us through images and association, their meanings are not always obvious and may require interpretation.

Why God Speaks Through Symbols

Although God can speak clearly, He sometimes chooses symbolic communication that invites us to search out the meaning. Jesus often taught in parables for this reason. When His disciples asked why, He explained that spiritual truth is not received equally by all. Some hear with open hearts, while others remain hardened or indifferent. (Matthew 13:10-15 NIV)

Symbolic communication is not meant to obscure truth from sincere seekers, but to draw them deeper into relationship with God. It invites reflection, dependence, and a prayerful search for understanding.

Discerning When a Dream Is from God

Not all dreams are messages from God, but Scripture shows that some are. Discernment is therefore needed. Certain types of dreams may indicate significance. A dream that lingers after waking, one that recurs, or one that carries unusual emotional weight often deserves attention. 

Repetition can also signal emphasis. When Pharaoh received two similar dreams, Joseph explained that this happened because the matter was firmly established by God. (Genesis 41:32 NIV)

Not every unsettling dream should be dismissed as not having come from God; some may be warnings. Pilate's wife, for example, was troubled by a dream that caused her to urge her husband not to condemn Jesus. (Matthew 27:19 NIV)

Responding to a Dream from God

When a dream seems significant, our response should be to seek God for the interpretation. 

Joseph and Daniel, both well-known interpreters of dreams, emphasized that the interpretation comes from God alone. Joseph, when asked to interpret a dream for Pharaoh said, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer...." (Genesis 41:16 NIV) Daniel likewise declared concerning Nebuchadnezzar's dream, "'There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries." (Daniel 2:28 NIV)

Revelation belongs to God, and understanding must be received from Him. We bring the dream to Him, ask for insight, and remain attentive. Jesus showed this principle at work with His disciples. Though He taught the crowds in parables that often had hidden meanings, He revealed their interpretation to His disciples when they asked Him to do so. (Matthew 13:10-23 NIV)

Interpreting Symbolism in Dreams

Scripture does not provide a fixed system of dream symbols. Meaning depends on context, personal experience, and what God may be communicating at the moment. Certain images may suggest general themes. Scenes involving movement—such as traveling from one place to another—may suggest transition, direction, or progress.

Because dreams are personal, symbols often come from an individual's own experiences and memories. A symbol in one person's dream may mean something different in another's.

People in dreams may also represent roles or a type of relationship—such as authority, guidance, or care— rather than representing themselves directly. For this reason, interpretation should begin with the whole dream, not isolated symbols. 

Keeping a record of your dreams often helps in revealing patterns of themes and symbols over time. Above all, interpretation must remain grounded in Scripture and dependence on God for understanding.

A Personal Example

God uses dreams and visions for many reasons—guidance, warning, direction, comfort, etc. Whatever the reason, it is always worth seeking Him for understanding. 

When I was in my early twenties, my mother shared with me a recurring dream that she was having. In the dream, Mother was lost in a large house and was very frightened. She said that I was with her, about six years old, and she was holding my hand.

The dream always ended with her trying to cry out for help, but only a whisper would come out. The whisper would wake my father, who would then wake her from the nightmare. 

I was intrigued by the dream but never sought an interpretation, and over time I forgot about it.

Years later, my Mother's health declined, and her mind was becoming less clear. After my stepfather's sudden death, I moved in to care for her. One evening while giving her medication, she looked at me and said gently, "Who would have thought that my little girl would be taking care of me?" 

I was overcome with emotion at her words, but I held myself together and spoke as best I could, "Well, Mama, this is how it is supposed to be. You took care of me, and now I am taking care of you."

As soon as I was able, I rushed to my bedroom and broke down sobbing. It was at that moment that Mother's old dream came back to my mind with sudden clarity and understanding. 

Mother was the one "lost in the house," no longer able to find her way due to her declining mind, and although she thought that she was the one holding my hand in her dream, I was, in fact, the one holding hers. 

Then came the deeper realization: just as my father woke her from her nightmare, so my Heavenly Father would ultimately wake her from this one and take her home to be with Him. 

Understanding the dream brought me profound comfort. God had known all along what would be taking place in the future, and He had already planned to place me beside her for this season. 

Although God had given the dream to my mother, He had given the interpretation to me. 

Testing the Interpretation of a Dream

Any interpretation must be tested. It should align with Scripture and reflect God's character. If corrective, it will bring conviction without condemnation. It will not contradict what God has already been speaking, and it will carry a quiet inward assurance. These safeguards help keep us grounded and prevent misinterpretation. 

Understanding Visions

Visions differ from dreams in that they occur while we are awake. They may appear as a sudden mental picture or a brief scene impressed on the mind. They are not seen with the natural eye, but with what Scripture refers to as “the eyes of the heart.”(Ephesians 1:18 NIV) Visions are not intentionally created. They come unexpectedly and often carry immediate clarity.

God used a vision to lead the Apostle Paul on his missionary journey. "Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'" (Acts 16:9 NIV) Once Paul saw the vision, his team left immediately for Macedonia, "concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." (Acts 16:10 NIV) This vision was very clear and marked a turning point in the church's mission. The gospel was moving into Europe. 

When a vision is not clear, the same process used for dreams applies to it—seeking God for the interpretation. 

Conclusion: Walking in Discernment and Responsibility

Scripture makes it clear that God does speak through dreams and visions. What was once primarily given to prophets is now extended through the Spirit to all of God's people. Yet this gift comes with responsibility. Dreams and visions must be weighed carefully and interpreted in light of Scripture. God has not removed our need for discernment—He has deepened it. 

As we seek Him for the interpretation, He is faithful to give understanding in ways that draw us closer to Him.

For more from Julia, see her Substack, “Reflections on Knowing God” @juliakamleiter